MORE than 70 firefighters were involved in a battle to put out a blaze in a thatched farm house near Stalham late last night.The roof of the house on Rectory Road, in Sutton, caught fire shortly before 6.

MORE than 70 firefighters were involved in a battle to put out a blaze in a thatched farm house near Stalham late last night.

The roof of the house on Rectory Road, in Sutton, caught fire shortly before 6.30pm and was still being tackled at 10pm.

Firefighters were on the scene all night making sure the fire was completely out and there was no danger of it catching light again.

“Someone driving past saw the fire and went and told the occupiers,” said Norfolk fire service area manager Les Britzman, who led the operation on the ground.

“All the occupants are OK and are staying with neighbours.”

Mr Britzman said the roof had been almost totally destroyed and explained that the fire had been a difficult one to fight from a practical point of view.

“We haven't been able to enter the building as of 10pm or for some time to come because it could be a potentially dangerous structure.

“This meant we were unable to get to the seat of the fire for quite some time.

“We expect to be here for most or all of the night keeping a watching brief, damping down where necessary and checking for hotspots.”

At the height of the fire there were 15 fire appliances on scene, including fire engines, support units, a control unit and a water carrier.